Michigan Adopts 1-800-GAMBLER as Primary Helpline

Article By Larry Henry

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Larry Henry is a veteran print and broadcast reporter and editor who has been a political editor at the Las Vegas Sun and managing editor at KFSM-TV, the CBS affiliate in Northwest Arkansas. Larry also has experience with media outlets in other states with gaming, including Tennessee and Louisiana.

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Last Updated: Mar 14^th, 2024

The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) announced the implementation of 1-800-GAMBLER as the primary helpline in the Wolverine State for issues relating to problem gambling. The previous 1-800-270-7117 phone number remains active, and the adoption of 1-800-Gambler is part of a desire on the part of the MGCB to consolidate service for players experiencing gambling problems and provide streamlined access to necessary services.

Incoming calls to 1-800-GAMBLER from the Great Lakes State will get forwarded to the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services (MDHHS). Alternative methods to reach the helpline are using the live chat option at 1800gamblerchat.org or by texting 800GAM. The professional support staff is on duty 24/7 around the year and is eager to provide relevant guidance to anyone with gambling issues.  

The MGCB requires all licensed Michigan online casinos to update their responsible gambling pages by listing the 1-800-GAMBLER phone number by August 8th this year. According to Henry Williams, executive director of MGCB, the adoption of 1-800-GAMBLER signals the agency's commitment to fostering a safe gaming environment in Michigan by providing easily accessible resources for the treatment of players needing help. 

Largest Global Helpline Network 

The 1-800-GAMBLER phone number is operated by the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) and represents the most prominent global helpline network, according to several parameters such as covered geographic area, volume of calls, and population served. The mission of the helpline is to provide people facing gambling problems and their family members with professional support. Estimates from the NCPG signal that on a national level, about 2 million adults in a given year qualify as individuals with gambling problems. 

Michigan authorities have been actively working on protecting players, and another successful project was the launch of the responsible gambling campaign Don’t Regret The Bet in 2023. The award-winning project will continue in 2024, bolstered by a financial injection of $3 million allocated from the Michigan fiscal budget for 2024.  

Vibrant Online Casino Market 

Aside from the government's measures, nearly every licensed operator catering to Michigan players offers additional responsible gambling tools and policies aiming to protect players. 

Michigan offers one of the most vibrant online casino markets in the United States, ranking second nationally according to revenue, with $1.9 billion for 2023. 

The most prominent national operators have catered to local players since 2021, providing no deposit bonus casino Michigan and immersive game libraries on comprehensive casino websites and apps. Operators such as BetMGM, DraftKings, Caesar Palace Online Casino, FanDuel, and other brands active in Michigan provide a broad repertoire of responsible gaming tools, such as deposit limits, timeouts, limits on losses, and management of time spent gambling.

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Larry Henry is a veteran print and broadcast reporter and editor who has been a political editor at the Las Vegas Sun and managing editor at KFSM-TV, the CBS affiliate in Northwest Arkansas. Larry also has experience with media outlets in other states with gaming, including Tennessee and Louisiana.

Read Full Bio

Larry Henry

Last Updated:   Mar 14^th, 2024

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